Here it is again…another birthday. They seem to come faster and faster as you age. Feels like I just had one, and now I’m having another. So I thought I’d spend a few moments reflecting on the past 12 months… as 36 gives way to 37, here are...
37 Things I Learned About Myself and Life This Past Year.
1) I don’t like small animals, especially rodent like ones.
2) Eleanor Roosevelt said a lot of really smart things
3) Life is too short to waste it.
4) I can say “no” and not feel guilty
5) I am a horrible blogger.
6) When I set my mind to something I can usually make I happen
7) I LOVE to tickle my children
8) I dislike uncomfortable fabrics
9) I like making people smile
10) I don’t mind driving a minivan.
11) I love to watch girlie shows with my daughters all snuggled in around me
12) I like getting my eyebrows waxed. I will never pluck again.
13) I won’t apologize for speaking truth, even when its unpopular.
14) I have an addiction to purchasing organizing containers
15) I really like laughing so hard I cry
16) I like moments every day when I get to be completely still and silent
17) I can do Warrior 3, but the rest of yoga is way beyond me
18) I like my blue eyes
19) I am too goofy to be 37
20) I don’t like cake or instant mash potatoes
21) I am terrible at any video game that needs skill (my 6 year old tells me this often)
22) My husband’s popcorn is better than the stuff at the movies
23) I would rather watch football than a cooking show any day
24) I can laugh at myself when I do something dumb.
25) My best friends are the ones I don’t have to “try” with. They know we love each other and they are okay with the crazy schedule I keep.
26) My kids are so much cooler than I ever was
27) I miss big city life, and won’t ever be farm girl.
28) I love singing whenever and wherever I can
29) My son’s hugs are unlike anyone’s on the planet
30) I like to paint rooms of my house in bold colors
31) I can take some pretty great photographs.
32) I need to visit the oceans and mountains on a regular basis. They both put life in perspective.
33) I am not a person who needs a lot of material things.
34) I like bacon and peanut butter sandwiches
35) I COLLECT scrapbook supplies, never take the time to do anything with them, but I collect them.
36) If I have another 37 years on this earth, I’ll still not have enough time to show my husband how much I love him.
37) I like the me I am becoming.
So there it is. As another year of growing, maturing, changing and aging begins…I say…Look out 37, here I come.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Let the Crazy Journey Begin
So, here it is. The words have been spoken, the promise has been heard, and now I need to see it thru. Day One of this unbelievable journey I have found myself on.
Over the last year Ki and I have been stirred by something that we didn't really know how to wrap our brains around. The water crisis of our world. Americans don't get it, and until a year ago, we were pretty unaware. However...to ignore it now, would be to violate everything Matthew says about the "least of these". I cannot imagine what it would be like as a mom to give my children water that they desperately need to survive, knowing it is so contaminated that this very water will eventually give them a disease that will take their lives. Even now, that thought brings me to tears.
I have pondered this for months, all the while having something else restless inside my head. I love lia sophia. I love what this company has done for my family and those on my team, but I always wondered if I was "wasting" God's time. Was pursuing money wrong? I began to wrestle with this and pray for God's wisdom. As I arrived at our National Conference this past week, the theme was MORE. I kept thinking what I wanted MORE of. And there on Monday night, I figured out, I want more of all of it to make a difference for eternity. MORE women to influence and help acheive their dreams, MORE money to be able to be debt free and give it away, MORE time that counts with my children. MORE flexibility with my schedule. All things lia could give me that another job could give me part of, but not all of.
Then in only a way that God could...I left lia conference for CIY. The mission of the week????....a group called Active Water...who's very mission is to provide clean water wells to 3rd world countries. There it laid before me. The opportunity, the desire and the timing. I shared my big, scary goal with Kiley who said..."sounds awesome babe, run for it". Suddenly there was something I had been longing for over the past several weeks....peace. Peace that God had so plainly shown me a path, and confirmed it many times over. It was like the doors flew off my heart and I knew God was preparing me for an adventure.
Now, I will tell you that peace with God's plan for your life, doesn't always mean you feel perfectly fine. Quite the contrary. I am overwhelmed, unsure of how to tackle this, and the fear of failing is nagging in the back of my head. I am hesitant to blurt it out, because if I keep it in my heart then failure isn't so public. And yet, that's not God's plan for me. We asked our students to make some brave commitments this past week, and I shared ours right along with them, so they would know we are in the trenches too. There is no easy way for us. We depend on 100% of my income for our families needs, so to sacrifice even a portion of that will mean some giant trusting.
Even in that....I know a few things....
1) He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine (romans)
2) I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength (philippians)
3) If anyone one lacks wisdom, they should ask God. (james)
So would you pray for me on this journey? That I would boldly walk in this direction. That I would work towards it even when its hard and I'm tired. That God would make the details plain and clear for me. That people would come to know the character of God better because of the way I choose to walk this journey.
I won't write daily, but I'll try to keep you posted on at least monthly basis. I know that the minimum needed is $5000 and some places its has high as $10,000 needed to build, install and maintain a well. We want to pay for that well as soon as possible, because the need is great.
I am sure there will be high points and low. All the while...may Jesus' be lifted high in this adventure.
Putting one foot in front of the other,
Chel
Over the last year Ki and I have been stirred by something that we didn't really know how to wrap our brains around. The water crisis of our world. Americans don't get it, and until a year ago, we were pretty unaware. However...to ignore it now, would be to violate everything Matthew says about the "least of these". I cannot imagine what it would be like as a mom to give my children water that they desperately need to survive, knowing it is so contaminated that this very water will eventually give them a disease that will take their lives. Even now, that thought brings me to tears.
I have pondered this for months, all the while having something else restless inside my head. I love lia sophia. I love what this company has done for my family and those on my team, but I always wondered if I was "wasting" God's time. Was pursuing money wrong? I began to wrestle with this and pray for God's wisdom. As I arrived at our National Conference this past week, the theme was MORE. I kept thinking what I wanted MORE of. And there on Monday night, I figured out, I want more of all of it to make a difference for eternity. MORE women to influence and help acheive their dreams, MORE money to be able to be debt free and give it away, MORE time that counts with my children. MORE flexibility with my schedule. All things lia could give me that another job could give me part of, but not all of.
Then in only a way that God could...I left lia conference for CIY. The mission of the week????....a group called Active Water...who's very mission is to provide clean water wells to 3rd world countries. There it laid before me. The opportunity, the desire and the timing. I shared my big, scary goal with Kiley who said..."sounds awesome babe, run for it". Suddenly there was something I had been longing for over the past several weeks....peace. Peace that God had so plainly shown me a path, and confirmed it many times over. It was like the doors flew off my heart and I knew God was preparing me for an adventure.
Now, I will tell you that peace with God's plan for your life, doesn't always mean you feel perfectly fine. Quite the contrary. I am overwhelmed, unsure of how to tackle this, and the fear of failing is nagging in the back of my head. I am hesitant to blurt it out, because if I keep it in my heart then failure isn't so public. And yet, that's not God's plan for me. We asked our students to make some brave commitments this past week, and I shared ours right along with them, so they would know we are in the trenches too. There is no easy way for us. We depend on 100% of my income for our families needs, so to sacrifice even a portion of that will mean some giant trusting.
Even in that....I know a few things....
1) He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine (romans)
2) I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength (philippians)
3) If anyone one lacks wisdom, they should ask God. (james)
So would you pray for me on this journey? That I would boldly walk in this direction. That I would work towards it even when its hard and I'm tired. That God would make the details plain and clear for me. That people would come to know the character of God better because of the way I choose to walk this journey.
I won't write daily, but I'll try to keep you posted on at least monthly basis. I know that the minimum needed is $5000 and some places its has high as $10,000 needed to build, install and maintain a well. We want to pay for that well as soon as possible, because the need is great.
I am sure there will be high points and low. All the while...may Jesus' be lifted high in this adventure.
Putting one foot in front of the other,
Chel
Sunday, March 7, 2010
thinking about baseball
I just left a direct sales conference in Orlando (in fact I am still in the airport due to overloaded flights... I got bumped, so I am 2 hours late leaving, but have a free ticket in my pocket, so I am not complainin)
This conference... 70 women, 1 man 4 days, lots of ideas... it was a baseball theme, which might seem weird for a women's conference, but we're here in the middle of spring training for baseball, so it worked. Unlike any direct sales conference I have previously attended, this conference had all of its training from a biblical perspective....which I loved!
Through out the conference there were quotes, stats and ideas thrown at us that could relate from baseball to our own personal lives and businesses. But one thought kept returning to me. Have you ever had that happen where you hear something and it seems to echo in your head? Its like your brain becomes a raquetball court and that single thought just keeps bouncing around and around. That's what has happened to me here. Its not from scripture, but I believe that God can use the thoughts of man to accomplish HIS purpose for us. I am not sure where in my life this will take effect, but I believe there are several areas, once I absorb it more.
I'd love to hear how you think it would effect your life. Maybe it will inspire you as well. In the words of Babe Ruth:
"Don't let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game".
How would you translate that for your life? Well..looks like we're lining up to board the plan home.
Still pondering...
Chel
This conference... 70 women, 1 man 4 days, lots of ideas... it was a baseball theme, which might seem weird for a women's conference, but we're here in the middle of spring training for baseball, so it worked. Unlike any direct sales conference I have previously attended, this conference had all of its training from a biblical perspective....which I loved!
Through out the conference there were quotes, stats and ideas thrown at us that could relate from baseball to our own personal lives and businesses. But one thought kept returning to me. Have you ever had that happen where you hear something and it seems to echo in your head? Its like your brain becomes a raquetball court and that single thought just keeps bouncing around and around. That's what has happened to me here. Its not from scripture, but I believe that God can use the thoughts of man to accomplish HIS purpose for us. I am not sure where in my life this will take effect, but I believe there are several areas, once I absorb it more.
I'd love to hear how you think it would effect your life. Maybe it will inspire you as well. In the words of Babe Ruth:
"Don't let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game".
How would you translate that for your life? Well..looks like we're lining up to board the plan home.
Still pondering...
Chel
Monday, March 1, 2010
Seriously crazy
Estrogen....all I'm saying is its way too soon to be entering into my family! I am sure that you should leave and come back shortly before my daugthers 18th birthday!! Another decade will give me enough time to figure out how to build a plexiglass cage for both of them right?!?!?!?!
Seriously, for all of you who have older daughters....why do they not warn you about stuff like this? That's its not a gradual process. Its not like potty training where one day you'll think their ready and the gradually over a few months it happens. This was sweet, innocent daughter with flawless skin one day and the next we have zits, body odor, greasy hair every other day and an attitude the size of the mall of america!!!! Not to mention they are ALWAYS hungry and their shoes seem to fit for about 30 days, if you're lucky. Their bodies can literally change between bedtime and leaving for school the next morning. For all of you with precious 6 year olds, I know you're saying this won't happen, but I am warning you...the 8th birthday will bring things into your life you never dreamed possible!
Now for all of you who think I am venting...this really is a comical look at my life, not some stressed out mom. We are preparing for changes, but I wasn't preparing for them THIS quickly. With the changes that I don't quite know how to keep up with, come things that I do like....
Last week my daughter comes home off the bus and declares that everyone is weird. (new favorite word for this 8 year old). I ask why...she says because they keep talking about using "bad" words. I ask why that's weird...she says "cuz who needs to use words Jesus doesn't like if you know how to say what you feel?". Score one baby girl!!!
Or several weeks ago when on my dresser my other daughter leaves a note that says "thanks mom for all you do for me like shopping, laundry and stuff. I know I don't tell you that very much and I wanted you to know". Made me cry and then I put it on my desk for the days when she's not so grateful.
And my favorite moments? Last night when they both still try to fit on the couch with me at the same time. They are both well over my shoulders in height, so when we all pile on I get a little smushed, but don't tell them that. I will cherish every hug and cuddle I can get from them. The days are flying too quickly.
Weird...
Seriously, for all of you who have older daughters....why do they not warn you about stuff like this? That's its not a gradual process. Its not like potty training where one day you'll think their ready and the gradually over a few months it happens. This was sweet, innocent daughter with flawless skin one day and the next we have zits, body odor, greasy hair every other day and an attitude the size of the mall of america!!!! Not to mention they are ALWAYS hungry and their shoes seem to fit for about 30 days, if you're lucky. Their bodies can literally change between bedtime and leaving for school the next morning. For all of you with precious 6 year olds, I know you're saying this won't happen, but I am warning you...the 8th birthday will bring things into your life you never dreamed possible!
Now for all of you who think I am venting...this really is a comical look at my life, not some stressed out mom. We are preparing for changes, but I wasn't preparing for them THIS quickly. With the changes that I don't quite know how to keep up with, come things that I do like....
Last week my daughter comes home off the bus and declares that everyone is weird. (new favorite word for this 8 year old). I ask why...she says because they keep talking about using "bad" words. I ask why that's weird...she says "cuz who needs to use words Jesus doesn't like if you know how to say what you feel?". Score one baby girl!!!
Or several weeks ago when on my dresser my other daughter leaves a note that says "thanks mom for all you do for me like shopping, laundry and stuff. I know I don't tell you that very much and I wanted you to know". Made me cry and then I put it on my desk for the days when she's not so grateful.
And my favorite moments? Last night when they both still try to fit on the couch with me at the same time. They are both well over my shoulders in height, so when we all pile on I get a little smushed, but don't tell them that. I will cherish every hug and cuddle I can get from them. The days are flying too quickly.
Weird...
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